Stamp-affixing machine.



No. 674,233. Patented May 2|, I901.

A. s. HEINTZ.

STAMP AFFIXING MACHINE.

(Application filed June 18, 1900.)

2 Sheets-Sheet l.

(No Model.)

NTTFD STATES ALBERT SIDNEY HEINTZ,

OF PORTLAND, OREGON.

STAMP-AFFIXING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 674,733, dated May 21, 1901.

Application filed June 18, 1900.

T0 ctZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALBERT SIDNEY HEINTZ, of the city of Portland, in the county of Multnomah, State of Oregon,(whose post-office address is No. 213 Thirteenth street, Portland, Oregon,) have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Stamp-Affixing Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

This invention relates to machines for affixing postage or other stamps to envelops, documents, or packages, and has for its object to provide an automatic and perfectly-operating device of this character through the agency of which the stamp may be cut from a sheet or strip and moistened and secured upon the envelop, document, or package by the mere movement of one single rod or lever, this invention being an improvement upon those for which Letters Patent of the United States have been granted, said Letters Patent bearing date July 23, 1895, and numbered, respectively, 543,440 and 543,441.

This invention consists in the novel and simplified construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described and set forth in particularity.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, like letters of reference designate corresponding parts in all views.

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of my invention, taken upon a line corresponding to X X in Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section upon the line Y Y in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a front elevation with the front plate A removed. Fig. 4 is a transverse section upon the line N N, Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a plan View to show the disposition of the grips that feed the stamp forward. Fig. 6 is thesame as Fig. 5, to show the device that holds the strip of stamps in position while the grips move back and which releases it for the forward motion.

The present invention is constructed of a base-piece, from which extending upwardly is a housing or casing of suitable size, shape, and material to inclose the whole of the mechanism hereinafter described.

This machine is provided with a front plate A, which forms partof the aforesaid casing.

B is an ordinary rubber air-bulb, which is Serial No. 20,693. (No model.)

supported in position by a bracket, 0 and having a small rubber .tube connecting with a brass pipe D,which is perforated so as to make a sprayin connection with the pipe E, extending from a reservoir of water F and indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1.'

This machine is also provided with a bell G, having the ordinary device, as shown in Fig. 1, for striking atthe tenth movement. The same comprises a pivoted spring-pressed triplever, having a spring extension carrying a hammer at its free end. The free end of said lever engages a peripheral tooth J of a rotatable wheel or disk J at each rotation of the latter. The operation is obvious.

Resting upon the base is a longitudinal box or drawer H, which may be Withdrawn at the rear by a small knob, said drawer or box being adapted to receive a quantity of postage or other stamp strips, which strips each preferably comprises ten stamps and said box being substantially the width of the stamps used. Extending forward and on a plane above the top of said box or drawer is a slide or guidewayl the length of four of the stamps used.

K is a base or slab upon which the envelop, document, or package to be stamped is placed in position.

L is a rod extending through the forward part of the casing and having upon its lower end presser-block 0.

M is a block forming an attachment of the plunger-rod L and having a detent M pivoted to it for engaging and rotating the pin-Wheel J.

N is a lever to press the bulb B.

O is a .block on the lever L, carrying a friction-roller P,which passing downward presses the arm of the lever Q. The lever N is pivoted at a and stands normally vertical, with its convex rear side or edge in the path of the roller P, so that when the latter is forced down along with the block 0 the free or upper end of said lever N is carried forward against the bulb B.

R is a rod connecting the lever Q with the lever S, which is forked at the lower end on an axle T, which also carries the rod U, which is guided in a bridge or supporting-post V. The said rod U is grooved on the top to receive a sliding catch a.

1) is a guide-block on the rod U for the slidecatch a. The rod or plunger 0 is provided with a notch at d.

e is a spring to press the sliding catch a into the notch at d. The rod or plunger 0 is provided with a receiver f for an adhesive composition. On the axle T there are two rings g g, as shown in Fig. 2, in which are inserted the arms of grips h h and light springs to press them down, as shown in Fig. 5. The rod L when pressed down is readjusted to its former position by the spring 2'.

j is a slot or groove in which the axle T is carried forward and backward the distance of the length of one stamp each stroke.

70 is an opening through which the stamp comes from the slide or guideway I.

Z Z are fine needle-points in the arms a n, which work upon the axles at their elbows and are fastened to the bar m, as shown in Fig. 6. The last-described device is the same on each side of the slide or guideway. The presser-block upon the lower end of the rod L has a sharpened steel knife-bladep, which acts as a shears in passing the lower slot or opening is in the steel plate q.

0" marks the rear guard and entrance for the stamp into the slide or guideway I.

The operation of the device will be readily apparent from the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings. The postage or otherstamps having been arranged in strips and placed in the stamp-box H, a strip of stamps is inserted in the slide I until the forward end is flush with the opening k in the plate q and the pin-wheel of the striking apparatus adjusted with the lug J in position four stamps ahead and water placed in the reservoir F. The envelop, document, or package being in position on the block K, press down on the rod L. The first move of the lever N will press on the air-bulb B and produce a spray on the envelop, document, or package. The friction-roller P; passing down the curved part of the lever Q, the back branch of which, connected by the rod R with the lever S, will pull the axle T forward to the extreme end of the slotj and the grips h h, engaging the strip of stamps, will carry it forward the length of one stamp. The axle T, striking projections or lugs of 4 the slidable bar m, moves the latter forward and forces the cranksn'n to pass the needlepoints Z Z through the strip of stamps. At this time the presser-block 0 passes the opening it, cutting the projected stamp off from the strip at the line of perforation and, continuing, presses it upon the moistened envelop, document, or package. The moving of the stamp forward is complete before the presser-block 0 reaches the stamp, and, the friction-roller P having attained the straight line of the lever, the forward motion ceases and also the pressure upon the air-bulb B. Upon release of the rod L the spring 2' readj usts the parts of the machine and the axle T is carried to the extreme rear of the slot j,

the grips h h sliding backward on the stamps by reason of their inclined direction and the axle T striking the lug on the bar m, releasing the points N from the stamp-strip. After successive operations when the bell G rings the last stamp of a strip is flush with the line 1" of the slide or guideway I. Press the plungercdown until the adhesive composition in the receiverf presses the stamps in the box H. A strip will adhere and upon release of the plunger 0 will be raised to position to enter the slide or guideway I. The succeeding stroke of the rod L, communicated to the bar U, which carries the plunger 0 and receiver f, will carry the new strip into the slide or guideway I one stamp in length, and when the axleT is in contact with the forward end of the slotj and the needle-points Z Z set in the stamp-strip the lugs at the same instant strikes the bridge V, which releases the sliding catch a from the notch at d, and the receiver f rises close to the rod U, and thereby disengages itself from the strip of stamps and permits it to pass freely until the bell rings, when the same operation is repeated.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a stamp-affixing machine, the combination, with a horizontal guideway for stamps, and a drawer or box arranged in front of and below such guideway, of a vertically-slidable paste-carrying plunger arranged adjacent to the mouth of the guideway and adapted to enter the drawer when depressed, and a spring for raising the plunger, as shown and described.

2. A device of the class described, comprising a receptacle for stamps, a plunger with adhesive substance thereon to lift the strips, a slide or guideway through which the strips are fed forward, means for feeding strips into said guideway, an axle working in slots, and carrying rings in which are inserted arms of grips to carry the stamps forward, and springs to press the grips upon the stamps.

3. A device of the class described, comprising a receptacle for stamps, a reciprocating plunger with adhesive substance thereon for lifting the stamps, a horizontal guideway for the latter, means for feeding the stamps forward and into said guideway, suitable bars on opposite sides of stamp-guideway, said bars having arms with pins operated by the mechanism for feeding the stamps forward, and which pierce the stamps and hold them temporarily in position, and the reciprocating grips which slide backward over the stamps While thus held, as shown and described.

4. A device of the class described, comprising a receptacle for stamps, a plunger with an adhesive substance for lifting the stamps, reciprocating means for feeding the stamps forward, means for holding the strips in position, a bar connected with feeding mechanism for carrying the plunger, a bridge and guide for said bar and means for disengaging the adhesive substance of the plunger from the stamps, a lever forked at the lower end and fitting over the device for feeding the stamps forward and a connecting lever or bar with levers operated by the downward stroke of the operating-rod.

5. A device of the class described, comprising a receptacle for stamps,. a plunger with adhesive material for lifting the stamps, reciprocating means for feeding the stamps forward, means for holding the strips of stamps in position during the return of the feeding mechanism, a reciprocating bar connected with the said feeding device and carrying the aforesaid plunger, a bridge over the stampreceptacle for support and guide of said bar, and a means in connection with said bar and bridge,fordisengaging the adhesive substance of the plunger from the stamp-strip at the proper time, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name, in presence of two witnesses, this 19th day of May, 1900.

ALBERT SIDNEY HEINTZ.

Witnesses:

ALEX. BERNSTEIN, D. SoLIs COHEN. 

